This is one of my favorite series and this book blew me away. I love Margot. And Wes! The story is intense and my heart was racing several times. I was up way past bedtime, I couldn't put it down. My jaw dropped several times. I loved the ending and I cannot wait for the final book.

This is the fourth book of the Detective Meghan Phalen series and boy I simply couldn't put the book down.

Detective Margot Phalen is the daughter of America's most prolific serial killers Ed. Her father is incarcerated but someone is copying what her father had done many years ago. Meanwhile, Margot and her partner are set to investigate an arson case where a woman was almost burned to death and Margot and Wes must find the person responsible for the arson.

I couldn't follow up with most of the characters since I haven't read the first three books but it didn't really matter to me. I really liked the pacing--it was fast paced and unputdownable in my opinion. There are some twists and turns and I like how the author managed to put the reader on the edge. I really enjoyed reading this book and couldn't wait for the fifth book to come soon.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Storm publishing for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

I cannot get enough of this series!! This is book four & I am just as invested as I was at the end of book 1.
While we are still stuck with no answers from the "Redwood Killer" cases discussed in book 3, it pops up again, possibly being related to the case in this book. Margot & Wes are called to the scene of a burning car, but no body in sight... until a woman burned so badly starts to emerge from the woods. Not only is Margot always drowning in work but her personal life takes a tool on her again when she is requested to go back to visit Ed Finch, her serial killer father. And on top of that her brother, Justin re-enteres her life begging her to do a docu-series. Margot is dead set on not doing it, not wanting to rehash all the memories or waste another breath on the "legacy" that is Ed Finch. While trying to balance her personal and work life, Margot is still balancing her feelings for her partner Wes. While I did love the chemistry between them more in book 3, it lacked her for me but I am excited to see where it could go.
It will be hard to say goodbye to these characters in the next book, the final book of this series. Kate Wiley does an amazing job drawing her readers in. I never want the series to end because of it but I am excited to see how Margots story wraps up.
I want to share some of my favorite quotes;
- "The horrors persist, but so do I."
- "This would not be the first time a witness assumed something was a mannequin." I listen to a lot of Crime junkies podcast and this is a life rule of theirs, IT'S NEVER A MANNEQUIN!!
- "The thing about trauma was, it didn't leave just because you gave it time."
All my true crime-loving people need to grab this book when it's released May 14th!
———————————————————————

Thank you, NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't expect to rate this way, as I was loving this book, but felt like it abruptly ended without any real answers to this books case, which is a shame.
I have a feeling the final book is going to (hopefully) jam packed from cover to cover and I can't wait to get my hands on it.
I did love that Margot is finally finding herself.

I love this author and I love the concept of the daughter of a serial killer. The perspective is so unique. This one was no exception and I enjoyed the side of her father and the way he saw his son and daughter. It brings a real depth and reality to this series. I read this in one sitting it was so good. The creepy serial killer psyche gives me chills

Wow!!!! This one was so good! I was hooked from the start! This is the fourth book in the series so if you read them, start with book one!

That ending and the twist…my mouth dropped open! I cannot wait for book five to come out!! I need it NOW!!

4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of In The Blood.

Detective Margot Phalen and her partner Wes are called to a crime scene to investigate a potential murder. The victim is holding on for dear life and they are trying to get as much information from her as possible. Margot returns home to find her brother drunk at her apartment complex. He wants her to participate in a series about their serial killer father. She wants no part of it because the visits she has with him in prison are difficult enough but she dies them to find his other victims. He reveals that he had a partner for a few of his kills and she does not know if that is true or if he is just trying to keep her coming back.

This is the fourth book in this series and I have enjoyed every book! I love the characters and the storyline. I cannot wait to see what happens in the fifth and final book!

When you are the daughter of a serial killer, nothing is going to be simple. As Margot attempts to deal the the crazy going on around her, and try to deal with her father, she is frazzled.

This case was just as good as the others, and I had a really hard time putting this book down. I am loving the developing relationship between Margot and Wes. I cannot wait to read more in this series.

I highly recommend this one, and of course, the entire series. Hopefully there is another installment coming soon!

In the Blood is a fast paced, gripping thriller that pulls you in and does not let go. It's dark, and it's twisty, and it's oh so enjoyable. The majority of the characters are likeable, but there are the obligatory loathsome ones too. This is an action packed thriller you don’t want to put down. I love the characters, this is very well written and I can’t wait to find out how the conclusion will be. This really was a great read and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley.

This is such a great series. These books can be read as standalone or as a continuation of the story. I really like the main character and her partner.

I like the backstory of Ed and why he does the things he does. I like the back-and-forth between the timelines and the different point of view. I always look forward to another installment of this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm publishing for the ARC of In The Blood by Kate Wiley in return for my honest review.
This is the forth book in the Detective Margot Phalen series although you could read this as a standalone I would recommend reading from the beginning as each book is a continuation of the last you certainly won’t be disappointed this is such a great series, really well written storylines and brilliant characters. I can’t wait for the next and final book to see how it concludes.

an interesting story and book of Detective Margot Phalen and Wes a serious crime happens a girl gets set on fire and detectives are trying to piece together the evidence
it has suspense and drama

In The Blood
by Kate Wiley
Pub Date: May 14 2025

In the Blood is the fourth installment in Kate Wiley’s Detective Margot Phalen series. Each book features the brutal cases in Margot's work as a homicide detective -- along with the revelations shared by her serial killer father. It's a dark thriller, unsettling and gripping, I simply could not put it down and am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series!

Synopsis: Her father was one of the most prolific serial killers in American history. Now Detective Margot Phalen must face a chilling what if it runs in the family? As the daughter of notorious serial killer Ed Finch, Margot has spent decades escaping her past—changing her name, her appearance, and building walls no one can breach, except her partner, Detective Wes Fox, whose growing closeness threatens the isolation she depends on.

Many thanks to #InTheBlood #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for providing an E-ARC of this book!

I really enjoy this series featuring Detective Margot Phalen, they make for compulsive reading. The book switches between Margot's father in the past and present day. I love the characterisation and the California setting, the plotting follows on from the previous books, which I recommend. It's gritty, suspenseful and a brilliant read which I am sure readers will enjoy. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Margot remains a great character and her growing relationship with Wes as well as her hate-hate relationship with Ed continue apace through this latest installment! CAn't wait for the concluding book of the series!

In The Blood

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“ As the daughter of notorious serial killer Ed Finch, Margot has spent decades escaping her past—changing her name, her appearance, and building walls no one can breach, except her partner, Detective Wes Fox, whose growing closeness threatens the isolation she depends on.”

I have never read any books in this series but I have added the others to my TBR. I really enjoyed how the characters were written and the depth Margot’s thoughts are written. The mystery was a very good one and I can’t wait to see it all wrapped up in the next book. I took one star for the book feeling a bit draggy like it was drawn out a little but overall I would recommend this book and can’t wait for the next one!

📚 E-ARC BOOK REVIEW 📚

In The Blood By Kate Wiley
Publication Date: May 14, 2025
Publisher: Storm Publishing

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(Rounded Up To 5⭐)

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this #gifted e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

📚MY REVIEW:

When I was approved to read In The Blood, the upcoming fourth book in the Detective Margot Phelan series by Kate Wiley, my heart did a little flip-flop with excitement. I'm a MASSIVE fan of this series and I can tell you that this fourth installment is just as gripping and suspenseful - if not moreso - as the first three books.

If you're not yet familiar with the series, I'll give you a brief summary: Detective Margot Phelan works in the homicide division of the San Francisco Police Department and she continues to be assigned to cases in which the victims appear to be the work of a serial killer, dinner the Redwoods Killer by the media. Phelan is also the estranged daughter of Ed Finch, one of the most prolific and notorious serial killers in modern history. Ed has decided to reveal more details about his killings and his victims to the FBI -- but he'll only speak to Phelan and only if she comes to the prison in which he's housed.

Each book features the brutal cases in Margot's work as a homicide detective -- along with the revelations shared by her serial killer father. Even though we're four books into this series, nothing Wiley writes in this series feels repetitive or redundant. The story always feels new and the tension continues with each layer of the mystery uncovered -- both in her current police work and with her father's horrific history.

When I was 88% of the way into the book, I felt a jolt of excitement as I realized there was no way this series could wrap up in this book's remaining pages ...Which meant another book was coming. And I now know Book #5 will be the final book in this series. I'll just be over here, waiting with bated breath.

If you haven't yet discovered this series, I cannot recommend it enough! If you're a fan of badass female MCs, police procedurals, and tense family drama that keeps on giving -- the Detective Margot Phelan series is one that you have to jump into as soon as you can. And with four bingeworthy books available (as of May 14th!!) -- you will be so happy that you did!

#InTheBlood #KateWiley #StormPublishing #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #ARC #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #bookrecs #thrillerbooks #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #thrillerreads #thrillerseries

Detective Margot Phalen is always anxious about her connection to a serial murderer -- her father, Ed Finch. She does her job motivated by her guilt over not seeing her dad for who he was even when she was a child. While she and her partner, Wes, investigate a new case, her troubled brother shows up in her apartment with a strange request. He would like for Margot to be a part of a show about their dad, but she is resistant to the idea. Meanwhile, Ed once again is offering to share more information about his murders if Margot visits the prison for a chat. Specifically, he has indicated that for a while he had a partner in his murderous past. Even though this will cost her personally, Margot agrees because she wants to find a murderer who is still living free, especially after she starts to worry if her brother is that murdering partner. Through all the extreme stress, Margot and Wes seem to be getting closer, and she is not sure how she feels about that possibility. I can't wait to see what happens next.

This is the Author's 4th book in this dark murder/mystery series and whilst it can be read as a standalone I
would recommend reading some of the previous books to set the characters and their relationships in place

Detective Margot Phalen has changed everything about herself ...... from her face to her name , to her job
and location .
Very few new her real identity , for who would want to be associated with her father , evil serial
killer , Ed Finch . He has discovered her new identity and is determined to use her , play
upon her emotions / paranoia , play upon her need for justice and perhaps redemption .
He has revealed that he had an accomplice but refuses to give further details , playing with her
emotions yet again.......... is it someone she knows ?
When her brother turns up trying to pressurize her into doing a podcast on her fathers crimes
she doesn't know what to think except NO ! NO ! - why now ?
Her mind is swirling with suspicions , are the drops of blood on her brother's shoes an indication
of his involvement in a recent murder .......... how can she suspect him ? Does the darkness her father
carry pass down the bloodline ???? even to herself ?
This is yet another fast paced murder mystery by the Author , full of twists and turns - a real page turner
from start to finish ..... I cannot wait for the next book

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Things are finally coming together in Book 4—and I can’t wait for Book 5!

I’ve been hooked on the Detective Margot Phalen series ever since I received the first book as my very first ARC from NetGalley. It’s been such a ride following Margot through every twist and turn—and this fourth installment delivered big time! I especially loved getting more Margot and Wes moments here; their dynamic added warmth and tension that really worked. I did miss Ed’s POV a bit, but the way everything is coming together makes me feel like it’s all building toward something big.

I’m beyond excited to see how it all wraps up in the final book!

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Kate Wiley for the ARC—though I didn’t get the usual email update for this one, I’m so glad I didn’t miss it. Another gripping and satisfying read from the series!